GÜLER ORGUN
01 There really is no city in the world like Istanbul. We are, after all, in Europe and in Asia. We are both incredibly modern and have wonderful traditions. In many ways, Istanbul connects the world –through different cultures between religions, and even in multi ethnic families. 02 But I’m going to guess you haven’t heard many family stories like mine. After all, my parents were born Jewish. But converted to Islam so that means I was born a Muslim, too. But then I converted to Judaism to get married And well, that marriage didn’t work out and I married a lovely Muslim man. And when my children were married – they didn't marry Muslims or Jews. My son-in-law even wears kilts. So the question is: how could a family be this diverse? And the answer begins, not here in Istanbul, but in Spain, 500 years ago. 03 In August 1492, when Christopher Columbus sailed from the port of Palos westwards, the Jews of Spain—who had lived there for a thousand years-- were being expelled by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. These Jews became known as the Sephardim, as Sepharad in Hebrew means Spain. Many of these expelled Jews found a new home on the other side of the Mediterranean –in the lands of the Ottoman sultans. They brought with them their traditions, their style of dress, and even their language—which we call Ladino, or Judeo Español, Compared to Christian Europe, the Ottomans were far more tolerant toward Jews in their empire. In fact, these Sephardic Jews had found a home. 04 Here’s where my family fits into all this history. This is Constanza, a city on the Black Sea. It’s in Romania.